Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in China, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
China in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in China followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in China, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Guangdong, Shandong and Jiangsu. Out of the three regions, Shandong and Jiangsu do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Shandong peaked in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Jiangsu peaked in 1976-1990.
How do development practices in China fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in China was the 81st-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other countries in the world, street construction in China has become more disconnected. China ranked 106th in 1975, 118th in 1976-1990, 95th in 1991-2005 and 81st in 2006-2020.
The largest city in China is Guangzhou, with a population of 39136200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Guangzhou as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.37, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Guangzhou followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
China in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in China is 夔门街道 with an SNDi of 13.01, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Qianjin with an SNDi of 0.85, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Qianjin, 夔门街道.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in China rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in China, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Guangdong, Shandong and Jiangsu. Out of the three regions, Guangdong does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Guangdong followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
To date, China is the 110th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other countries in the world, the street network in China has become more connected. China ranked 106th in 1975, 121st in 1976-1990, 117th in 1991-2005 and 110th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in China is Guangzhou, with a population of 39136200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Guangzhou as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.37, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Guangzhou rose steadily.